30% of San Antonio tickets sales are corporate
 

Area corporations buy tickets in bulk to support Saints' dome finale



If the Alamodome sells out Saturday for the New Orleans Saints' season finale in San Antonio, the displaced team would have the city's business community to thank.

More than 60,000 tickets have been sold for the displaced team's third regular-season game in the Alamo City and the first since an overflow crowd of 65,562 watched Atlanta beat the Saints, 34-31, on Oct. 16.

But prominent business leaders said Thursday that nearly 30 percent of the tickets for the Christmas Eve game were bought in the past two weeks by corporations eager to impress NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and other league officials.

While tickets for the Saints' previous dome games were among the area's hottest, Saturday's game has been a tougher sale because of the date and the quality of the teams. The Saints and their opponent, the Detroit Lions, have a combined record of 7-21.

"The business community stepped up in a concentrated effort to prove San Antonio is an NFL city," said John T. Montford, chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. "Valero (Energy Corp.) and other companies were supportive. I don't know what everyone bought, but it was substantial."

Among the biggest corporate buyers were HollyHills Group, a California-based company planning several developments in the area; AT&T Inc.; and Valero.

HollyHills bought 10,000 tickets, which a spokesman said would be donated to area military bases. AT&T snatched up 6,500 for distribution to various charities, including evacuees from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and for a promotion by Cingular Wireless, a spokeswoman said. AT&T owns 60 percent of Cingular.

Valero bought 1,200 tickets for its employees, a spokesman said.

Montford said Saints owner Tom Benson called the business community's response "impressive."

"He is very fond of San Antonio," Montford said of Benson. "He is particularly appreciative of the business community and the fans for the support they have offered the team."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s....14563af2.html

But Tommy ,

I would have let you run around in my parking lot ......

Alright everyone switch to verizon wireless .....

RE: 30% of San Antonio tickets sales are corporate
 

Yeah we all knew that and I bet it is more than 30%. How many of those corporations are owned by Mr. Dipstick himself? Its time that Mr. Benson stops trying to fool even the people he has sold cars too in the past because it ain't workin no more.

Kudos to San Antonio business. Corporate support is important to landing a franchise, don't you think?

Before you go off on me... Yes, the Saints should stay in New Orleans.


My 2 cents.


8)

I agree with ya Tally and I think the Saints returning to New Orleans will start a trend with other business returning after them.

I bristle a little when I hear the some of the sports talk guys say "New Orleans shouldn't be concerned about keeping the Saints when the city and region have more important concerns".

It's important for the Saints to return. It's one of many businesses that need to return to the city. There are many reasons its important. If the Saints can make it back, many other more viable businesses certainly can. Not to mention civic pride plays an big part in New Orleans rise from the ashes, so to speak.



8)

I was counting on corporate ticket sales. That means a bunch of empty seats. I'll be moving to the 50 and hoping we don't screw up our draft pick. They may announce a sell out, but live tv will show how empty the stadium will be. You can't pull off a fraud like this on Xmas eve.

The proposed construction company for a new stadium buys 10,000 tickets to a game ???

Sounds like a little under the table pay off to me .....

Whatever the case may be, there was 63, 747 in attendance at the game. I don't know who bought all the tickets, but people actually showed up. I thought it would be empty, or half empty, especially being such a garbage game, and on Xmas eve.